Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

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Blog: Friday's NHL recap

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Vancouver Canucks 3 @ Boston Bruins 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Roberto Luongo (41/43, .953 SV%) vs. Tuukka Rask (29/31, .935 SV%)
Net notes: Luongo was 10-9-3-0 vs. BOS coming in with 2.44/ .928 splits and four shutouts. Rask had never faced the Canucks.

Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin Alex Burrows
Mason Raymond Ryan Kesler Pavol Demitra
Tanner Glass Kyle Wellwood Mikael Samuelsson
Darcy Hordichuk Ryan Johnson Rick Rypien

Alexander Edler Sami Salo
Christian Ehrhoff Shane O'Brien
Aaron Rome Nolan Baumgartner

Milan Lucic Marc Savard Miroslav Satan
Blake Wheeler David Krejci Michael Ryder
Marco Sturm Patrice Bergeron Mark Recchi
Daniel Paille Steve Begin Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara Derek Morris
Matt Hunwick Dennis Wideman
Adam McQuaid Johnny Boychuk

Key notes: Mason Raymond (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 21:50 TOI, 4:42 PP, 1:20 PK, 5 SOG) began the day with 41 points and had 12 in 15 before today. He actually also had 16 points in 13 Saturday games coming in too. Ryan Kesler (1A, +1, 25:55 TOI, 4:56 PP, 5:03 PK, no SOG, 11-12 FO for 48%) reached the 50-point plateau this afternoon and he came into this affair only 10 points back of the 59 points he recorded last season.

This was Pavol Demitra's (1G, +2, 16:08 TOI, 4:56 PP, no PK, 1 SOG, 3-0 FO for 100%) 10th start and first goal, so that makes three straight games with a point for the Czech forward. He converted his shootout chance too, which turned out to be the only goal scored there. Sami Salo (1A, +1, 26:41 TOI, 3:54 PP, 5:50 PK, 4 SOG) had collected nine points in nine games headed in here.

Top PP times (VAN): Ehrhoff (6:00), Edler (5:41), Kesler (4:56), Demitra (4:56) and Raymond (4:42)
Top PP times (BOS): Chara (6:37), Bergeron (4:45), Wheeler (4:39), Krejci (4:39), Ryder (4:06) and Savard (4:06)

Zdeno Chara (1G, even, 2 PIM, 30:57 TOI, 6:37 PP, 5:52 PK, 6 SOG) hadn't scored since mid-January and he had just two helpers in 10 games in that time before today too. Marc Savard (2A, -1, 20:01 TOI, 4:06 PP, 0:45 PK, 2 SOG, 13-4 FO for 76%) has helpers in four of five since returning to action. Patrice Bergeron (1A, even, 19:06 TOI, 4:45 PP, 2:27 PK, 3 SOG, 6-7 FO for 46%) stopped a five-game pointless slide here.

Marco Sturm (1A, even, 17:32 TOI, 3:26 PP, 2:35 PK, 4 SOG) has points in two of four since being activated. Michael Ryder (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 17:02 TOI, 4:06 PP, no PK, 7 SOG) has points in two straight for the first time since Christmas.

Pittsburgh Penguins 3 @ Montreal Canadiens 5
Goaltending match-up: Marc-Andre Fleury (24/28, .857 SV%) & Brent Johnson (3/4, .750 SV%) vs. Jaroslav Halak (18/21, .857 SV%)
Net notes: MAF was 9-5-1 vs. MON coming in with 3.39/ .887 splits. Halak was 0-1-0 vs. PIT with 6.00/ .826 splits.

Ruslan Fedotenko Sidney Crosby Bill Guerin
Pascal Dupuis Jordan Staal Evgeni Malkin
Matt Cooke Mark Letestu Tyler Kennedy
Michael Rupp Craig Adams Tim Wallace

Brooks Orpik Sergei Gonchar
Mark Eaton Kris Letang
Alex Goligoski Jay McKee

Mathieu Darche Tomas Plekanec Sergei Kostitsyn
Travis Moen Scott Gomez Brian Gionta
Ben Maxwell Glen Metropolit Maxim Lapierre
Brock Trotter Ryan White David Desharnais

Jaroslav Spacek Roman Hamrlik
Ryan O'Byrne Andrei Markov
Josh Gorges Hal Gill

Key notes: Sidney Crosby (1A, -2, 20:51 TOI, 3:59 PP, 2:23 PK, no SOG, 9-13 FO for 41%) had 24 points in 17 GP vs. MON coming into this one and he was coming off his hat trick vs. BUF. Evgeni Malkin (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 20:00 TOI, 4:14 PP, 1:11 PK, 2 SOG) extended his point streak to nine games and that included 14 points before today. Sergei Gonchar (1A, +2, 2 PIM, 24:11 TOI, 5:28 PP, 3:51 PK, no SOG) stopped a mini-slide of three games without a point, but he still had 10 in 12 dating back to the start of January before today.

Bill Guerin (1G, even, 17 PIM, 14:12 TOI, 3:59 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) had gone five games without a point. Jordan Staal (1A, even, 23:24 TOI, 2:01 PP, 7:18 PK, 1 SOG, 7-12 FO for 37%) has points back-to-back after six games without one. Pascal Dupuis (1G, +1, 18:26 TOI, no PP, 3:23 PK, 3 SOG) had two points in his last start vs. MON and he came into today with nine points in 11 GP.

Top PP times (PIT): Gonchar (5:28), Goligoski (4:23), Malkin (4:14), Guerin (3:59) and Crosby (3:59)
Top PP times (MON): Markov (6:10), Gomez (6:09), Gionta (5:53), Plekanec (5:49) and Spacek (5:24)

Tomas Plekanec (1G, 2A, +1, 2 PIM, 21:44 TOI, 5:49 PP, 1:32 PK, 3 SOG, 9-6 FO for 60%) began this matinee 14 points shy of his career high of 69 points. Jaroslav Spacek (1A, +1, 18:42 TOI, 5:24 PP, 0:10 PK, 1 SOG) has points in four of eight from the back end.

Brian Gionta (2G, 1A, -1, 20:35 TOI, 5:53 PP, 3:36 PK, 3 SOG) had one point in five games coming into today and he had just one goal in eight games before scoring here. Scott Gomez (1G, 1A, -2, 20:24 TOI, 6:09 PP, 3:28 PK, 3 SOG, 15-10 FO for 60%) had one goal in 11 outings before this start. He had 10 points overall in 13 GP coming in though.

Detroit Red Wings 3 @ Los Angeles Kings 4
Goaltending match-up: Jimmy Howard (23/27, .852 SV%) vs. Jonathan Quick (20/23, .870 SV%)
Net notes: Howard was 2-1-0 vs. LOS coming in with 2.01/ .945 splits. Quick was 1-5-0 vs. DET with 3.19/ .903 splits.

Pavel Datsyuk Henrik Zetterberg Tomas Holmstrom
Danny Cleary Valtteri Filppula Todd Bertuzzi
Kris Draper Darren Helm Patrick Eaves
Kirk Maltby Drew Miller Jason Williams

Brian Rafalski Nicklas Lidstrom
Jonathan Ericsson Brad Stuart
Derek Meech Brett Lebda

Brad Richardson Anze Kopitar Wayne Simmonds
Ryan Smyth Jarret Stoll Dustin Brown
Alexander Frolov Michal Handzus Brandon Segal
Scott Parse Oscar Moller Teddy Purcell

Rob Scuderi Drew Doughty
Jack Johnson Peter Harrold
Sean O'Donnell Matt Greene

Key notes: Henrik Zetterberg (2G, +1, 2 PIM, 23:31 TOI, 3:48 PP, no PK, 9 SOG, 8-11 FO for 42%) has scored in three of five with multi-pointers in three of seven. Pavel Datsyuk (1A, +2, 22:57 TOI, 3:48 PP, 0:07 PK, 2 SOG, 1-2 FO for 33%) had 11 points in 10 GP before today and Brian Rafalski (2A, +3, 27:56 TOI, 3:34 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has helpers in all three February starts with points in eight of 12 overall.

Nicklas Lidstrom (1A, +3, 28:32 TOI, 3:34 PP, 4:42 PK, no SOG) had collected 19 points in 20 GP before this matinee. Danny Cleary (1A, -1, 18:11 TOI, 3:17 PP, 1:44 PK, 1 SOG) came into today with 10 points in 15 GP.

Valtteri Filppula (1G, -2, 16:37 TOI, 2:54 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 4-11 FO for 27%) had 13 points in 17 GP before today. The centre may be drawing the short end of the stick when winger Johan Franzen comes back since Mike Babcock apparently wants to separate Zetterberg and Datsyuk at that point, which'll push Filppula down to the third line. He has spent quite a bit of time there in recent seasons and produced fairly well, but that's when Detroit had much more depth talent on the wings too.

Top PP times (DET): Datsyuk (3:48), Zetterberg (3:48), Bertuzzi (3:43), Lidstrom (3:34) and Rafalski (3:34)
Top PP times (LOS): Kopitar (4:42), Smyth (4:36), Doughty (4:06), Stoll (4:00) and Brown (2:42)

Ryan Smyth (1G, +1, 21:19 TOI, 4:36 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) has come up with goals in five of nine now with points in eight of 10. Wayne Simmonds (1A, even, 15:13 TOI, no PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had 10 points in 11 affairs before today.

Alexander Frolov (1G, 1A, +2, 14:55 TOI, 0:06 PP, 1:29 PK, 6 SOG) had gone five games without a goal and he had four points in six games coming in. Michal Handzus (2G, 1A, +2, 15:11 TOI, 1:54 PP, 2:31 PK, 3 SOG, 3-8 FO for 27%) had five points in four starts before tonight after nadda in five before that. He had three points in his last game.

Phoenix Coyotes 0 @ Dallas Stars 4
Goaltending match-up: Ilya Bryzgalov (31/35, .886 SV%) vs. Marty Turco (34/34)
Net notes: Bryzgalov was 10-5-2 vs. DAL coming in with 2.10/ .929 splits and two shutouts. Turco was 16-14-1-1 vs. PHO with 2.47/ .895 splits and four shutouts. This was his third shutout of the season and 39th of his career.

Peter Mueller Matthew Lombardi Shane Doan
Petr Prucha Martin Hanzal Radim Vrbata
Taylor Pyatt Robert Lang Lauri Korpikoski
Paul Bissonnette Vernon Fiddler Daniel Winnik

Zbynek Michalek Ed Jovanovski
Jim Vandermeer Sami Lepisto
Keith Yandle Adrian Aucoin

James Neal Brad Richards Loui Eriksson
Brenden Morrow Jamie Benn Steve Ott
Fabian Brunnstrom Mike Modano Jere Lehtinen
Krys Barch Warren Peters Toby Petersen

Nicklas Grossman Stephane Robidas
Jeff Woywitka Trevor Daley
Karlis Skrastins Matt Niskanen

Key notes:

Top PP times (PHO): Doan (6:39), Jovanovski (6:21), Lombardi (6:05), Mueller (6:04) and Aucoin (5:04)
Top PP times (DAL): Richards (4:04), Robidas (3:17), Modano (3:17), Morrow (3:17) and Eriksson (3:17)

James Neal (1G, 1A, +2, 17:00 TOI, 1:34 PP, 2:20 PK, 7 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) has goals in four of his past eight with points in seven of his last 13. Loui Eriksson (1G, 1A, +2, 19:58 TOI, 3:17 PP, 5:11 PK, 1 SOG) has points in three straight for the fifth separate time this season. His longest stretch of games with at least a point is eight, which he did in December. He recorded his second SHG of the season today. Brad Richards (2A, +1, 17:23 TOI, 4:04 PP, 0:16 PK, 4 SOG, 9-4 FO for 69%) had 39 points in 27 home GP coming in here.

Jamie Benn (2G, +1, 2 PIM, 11:52 TOI, 1:34 PP, no PK, 7 SOG, 7-1 FO for 88%) carried his 25 points into this tilt and he had three in four before tonight. This was his second multi-pointer in three February starts. Brenden Morrow (1A, +1, 18:29 TOI, 3:17 PP, 5:10 PK, no SOG) has come up with points in four of five, while Steve Ott (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 14:31 TOI, 1:34 PP, 2:19 PK, no SOG, 8-3 FO for 73%) had nine points and 36 PIM in 17 GP before tonight's contribution.

Carolina Hurricanes 3 @ New York Islanders 1
Goaltending match-up: Justin Peters (34/35, .971 SV%) vs. Rick DiPietro (22/25, .880 SV%)
Net notes: Peters was making his first NHL start here. DiPietro was 5-9-1 vs. CAR with 3.40/ .883 splits coming in.

Ray Whitney Eric Staal Jussi Jokinen
Sergei Samsonov Matt Cullen Tom Kostopoulos
Zach Boychuk Brandon Sutter Pat Dwyer
Stephane Yelle Rod Brind'Amour Steven Goertzen

Joni Pitkanen Brett Carson
Tim Gleason Joe Corvo
Aaron Ward Andrew Alberts

Sean Bergenheim John Tavares Blake Comeau
Matt Moulson Rob Schremp Kyle Okposo
Jeff Tambellini Frans Nielsen Trent Hunter
Jon Sim Doug Weight Richard Park

Mark Streit Freddy Meyer
Andy Sutton Andrew MacDonald
Bruno Gervais Dustin Kohn

Key notes: Jussi Jokinen (1G, +2, 17:57 TOI, 3:43 PP, no PK, 1 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) has points in six straight with goals in eight of his past 12. Ray Whitney (1A, +2, 18:54 TOI, 4:28 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) had 16 points in 17 affairs before tonight, while Brandon Sutter (1A, even, 15:42 TOI, 3:18 PP, 2:50 PK, 3 SOG, 5-10 FO for 33%) has a point in five of eight.

Joni Pitkanen (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 27:06 TOI, 4:03 PP, 2:17 PK, 3 SOG) had 12 points in 13 GP from the back end before tonight. Zach Boychuk (1A, even, 9:00 TOI, 0:52 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has points back-to-back now on this call-up.

Top PP times (CAR): Cullen (4:45), Staal (4:31), Whitney (4:28), Pitkanen (4:03) and Jokinen (3:43)
Top PP times (NYI): Streit (6:52), MacDonald (5:05), Okposo (4:29), Tavares (4:14) and Moulson (4:13)

Frans Nielsen (1G, even, 2 PIM, 17:28 TOI, 3:15 PP, 1:43 PK, 6 SOG, 12-7 FO for 63%) had one point in six tries before tonight.

New Jersey Devils 1 @ New York Rangers 3
Goaltending match-up: Martin Brodeur (22/25, .880 SV%) vs. Henrik Lundqvist (41/42, .976 SV%)
Net notes: Brodeur was 41-22-15-4 vs. NYR coming in with 2.06/ .921 splits and eight shutouts. Lundqvist was 16-6-5 vs. NJD with 1.78/ .936 splits and four shutouts.

Zach Parise Travis Zajac Jamie Langenbrunner
Ilya Kovalchuk Dainius Zubrus Patrik Elias
Jay Pandolfo Rob Niedermayer Brian Rolston
Andrew Peters Dean McAmmond Vladimir Zharkov

Colin White Mike Mottau
Anssi Salmela Mark Fraser
Bryce Salvador Andy Greene

Vinny Prospal Erik Christensen Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky Olli Jokinen Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery Artem Anisimov Enver Lisin
Brandon Prust Chris Drury Brian Boyle

Marc Staal Michal Rozsival
Wade Redden Matt Gilroy
Michael Del Zotto Daniel Girardi

Key notes: Dainius Zubrus (1G, even, 2 PIM, 20:20 TOI, 4:04 PP, 0:25 PK, 2 SOG, 8-14 FO for 36%) had five points in four games before tonight. Patrik Elias (1A, even, 22:35 TOI, 4:11 PP, 0:08 PK, 3 SOG) played his first game since mid-January after suffering a concussion.

Top PP times (NJD): Kovalchuk (7:16), Zajac (4:35), Parise (4:29), Elias (4:11) and Rolston (4:10)
Top PP times (NYR): Jokinen (3:00), Del Zotto (3:00), Prospal (2:54), Gaborik (2:51) and Callahan (2:51)

Marian Gaborik (1G, even, 20:40 TOI, 2:51 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) needed a multi-pointer here to reach 70 points. He has goals in four of five with points in five straight. Brandon Prust (1A, +1, 10 PIM, 4:18 TOI, no PP, no PK, no SOG) already had 19 PIM in his two games with NYR before adding another good chunk tonight.

Ryan Callahan (1G, 1A, even, 22:22 TOI, 2:51 PP, 4:32 PK, 5 SOG) has back-to-back multi-point efforts after one point in seven games. Michael Del Zotto (1A, +1, 16:38 TOI, 3:00 PP, 0:01 PK, no SOG) has helpers back-to-back after seven games without a point.

Calgary Flames 1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Miikka Kiprusoff (21/23, .913 SV%) vs. Antero Niittymaki (25/26, .962 SV%)
Net notes: Kipper was 1-1-1 vs. TB with 4.59/ .844 splits coming in. Niitty was 1-1-0 vs. CGY with 2.82/ .915 splits and one shutout.

Niklas Hagman Matt Stajan Jarome Iginla
Christopher Higgins Daymond Langkow Ales Kotalik
Curtis Glencross Mikael Backlund Rene Bourque
Dustin Boyd Jamal Mayers Eric Nystrom

Robyn Regehr Ian White
Jay Bouwmeester Cory Sarich
Mark Giordano Adam Pardy

Steve Downie Steven Stamkos Martin St. Louis
Alex Tanguay Vincent Lecavalier Stephane Veilleux
Jeff Halpern Nate Thompson Ryan Malone
Todd Fedoruk Zenon Konopka Kurtis Foster

Mike Lundin Mattias Ohlund
Matt Smaby Victor Hedman
Matt Walker Andrej Meszaros

Key notes: Mark Giordano (1G, even, 22:18 TOI, 1:41 PP, 2:06 PK, 2 SOG) has points in five of seven now, including PPP in four of them. Curtis Glencross (1A, -1, 18:02 TOI, 1:03 PP, 2:19 PK, 1 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had that hat trick vs. CAR two games ago.

Top PP times (CGY): Bouwmeester (5:10), Iginla (4:42), Hagman (4:42), Stajan (4:42) and Kotalik (3:01)
Top PP times (TB): Stamkos (5:47), Malone (5:45), St. Louis (5:45), Foster (5:40) and Downie (5:20)

Steven Stamkos (1G, +1, 21:17 TOI, 5:47 PP, 0:49 PK, 2 SOG, 6-6 FO for 50%) has points in nine straight with goals in six of eight now. He came into tonight with 60 points in what has been a really strong sophomore campaign. Steve Downie (1A, +2, 17:54 TOI, 5:20 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) hit the 30-point mark this evening and his current point streak is at three games.

Ottawa Senators 0 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 5
Goaltending match-up: Brian Elliott (26/30, .867 SV%) & Pascal Leclaire (6/7, .857 SV%) vs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere (30/30)
Net notes: Elliott was 1-2-1 vs. TOR coming in with 3.03/ .897 splits. JSG was 4-2-1 vs. OTT before tonight with 2.24/ .921 splits. This was his second straight shutout with the Leafs and 34th of his career.

Milan Michalek Jason Spezza Daniel Alfredsson
Ryan Shannon Mike Fisher Alex Kovalev
Jarkko Ruutu Chris Kelly Chris Neil
Jonathan Cheechoo Peter Regin Jesse Winchester

Anton Volchenkov Chris Phillips
Chris Campoli Filip Kuba
Matt Carkner Alexandre Picard

Alexei Ponikarovsky Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel
John Mitchell Christian Hanson Lee Stempniak
Fredrik Sjostrom Rickard Wallin Nikolai Kulemin
Jay Rosehill Wayne Primeau Colton Orr

Dion Phaneuf Francois Beauchemin
Carl Gunnarsson Tomas Kaberle
Luke Schenn Garnet Exelby

Key notes:

Top PP times (OTT): Kuba (5:05), Alfredsson (4:57), Michalek (4:25), Spezza (4:06) and Kovalev (3:22)
Top PP times (TOR): Phaneuf (6:07), Kaberle (6:01), Kessel (5:39), Ponikarovsky (5:28) and Bozak (5:16),

Dion Phaneuf (1A, +1, 23:25 TOI, 6:07 PP, 3:00 PK, 3 SOG) had been blanked in his first two starts with the Leafs. Tyler Bozak (1G, 1A, +2, 18:18 TOI, 5:16 PP, 0:56 PK, 3 SOG, 11-7 FO for 61%) has points in three straight now after having one in six. Alexei Ponikarovsky (1A, +2, 2 PIM, 18:47 TOI, 5:28 PP, 1:07 PK, 1 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had accumulated 11 points in nine outings before this evening.

Phil Kessel (2G, 1A, +2, 17:33 TOI, 5:39 PP, 0:05 PK, 6 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) has points in four straight and 12 of 14. This was his fourth multi-pointer in that stretch. Tomas Kaberle (1A, even, 17:48 TOI, 6:01 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had nine points in 17 outings before tonight. Luke Schenn (2G, 1A, +4, 2 PIM, 21:40 TOI, 1:09 PP, 2:15 PK, 4 SOG) doesn't have much single-season value right now, but he had a great night for his deeper league owners.

Buffalo Sabres 0 @ Columbus Blue Jackets 4
Goaltending match-up: Patrick Lalime (21/25, .840 SV%) vs. Steve Mason (28/28)
Net notes: Lalime was 7-4-0 vs. CBJ coming in with 3.03/ .882 splits. Mason had never faced the Sabres before tonight. This was his third shutout of the season and 13th of his career.

Jochen Hecht Tim Connolly Jason Pominville
Thomas Vanek Derek Roy Drew Stafford
Clarke MacArthur Paul Gaustad Mike Grier
Adam Mair Tim Kennedy Steve Montador

Henrik Tallinder Tyler Myers
Chris Butler Craig Rivet
Toni Lydman Andrej Sekera

Kristian Huselius Antoine Vermette Rick Nash
Raffi Torres Derick Brassard Jakub Voracek
R.J. Umberger Samuel Pahlsson Mike Blunden
Jared Boll Andrew Murray Chris Clark

Anton Stralman Marc Methot
Mathieu Roy Jan Hejda
Kris Russell Milan Jurcina

Key notes:

Top PP times (BUF): Myers (6:04), Connolly (5:50), Vanek (5:26), Pominville (5:26) and Roy (4:01)
Top PP times (CBJ): Stralman (5:45), Russell (5:15), Nash (4:37), Huselius (4:31) and Brassard (4:13)

Rick Nash (1G, even, 20:15 TOI, 4:37 PP, 3:38 PK, 2 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) had gone five games without scoring, but he still had 16 points in 17 GP dating back to January 1st coming in here. Jakub Voracek (3A, +2, 16:16 TOI, 3:29 PP, 0:20 PK, 3 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) hit and passed the 30-point mark and also stopped an eight-game pointless skid. Antoine Vermette (1A, +1, 3:01 PP, 4:40 PK, no SOG, 13-9 FO for 59%) has points in five of eight and he began the night 10 points shy of matching his career high of 53 points.

Anton Stralman (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 19:14 TOI, 5:45 PP, 0:56 PK, 2 SOG) now has a point in seven of his past nine outings. Kristian Huselius (1A, even, 2 PIM, 15:59 TOI, 4:31 PP, 0:04 PK, no SOG) got on the board for February here and still had 17 points in 16 GP coming into this start.

Florida Panthers 2 @ Atlanta Thrashers 4
Goaltending match-up: Tomas Vokoun (31/34, .912 SV%) vs. Johan Hedberg (26/28, .929 SV%)
Net notes: Vokoun was 11-6-2 vs. ATL coming in with 2.31/ .918 splits and two shutouts. Hedberg was 6-7-0 vs. FLA with 2.73/ .906 splits.

David Booth Steven Reinprecht Cory Stillman
Rostislav Olesz Dominic Moore Michael Frolik
Nick Tarnasky Shawn Matthias Michal Repik
Gregory Campbell Kamil Kreps Radek Dvorak

Dennis Seidenberg Jordan Leopold
Keith Ballard Keaton Ellerby
Dmitry Kulikov Bryan McCabe

Bryan Little Nik Antropov Niclas Bergfors
Slava Kozlov Rich Peverley Maxim Afinogenov
Evander Kane Jim Slater Colby Armstrong
Todd White Marty Reasoner Chris Thorburn

Zach Bogosian Mark Popovic
Ron Hainsey Johnny Oduya
Tobias Enstrom Pavel Kubina

Key notes: Radek Dvorak (2G, even, 15:40 TOI, 2:57 PP, 2:20 PK, 2 SOG) hadn't scored since his hat trick vs. PIT at the start of January and had just two helpers between then and now.

Top PP times (FLA): Booth (6:48), Stillman (6:48), Seidenberg (6:29), Leopold (5:51) and Reinprecht (5:49)
Top PP times (ATL): Afinogenov (3:23), Enstrom (3:22), Kozlov (2:52), Antropov (2:50) and Kubina (2:46)

Nik Antropov (3A, +1, 16:05 TOI, 2:50 PP, 0:05 PK, 2 SOG, 2-6 FO for 25%) had been shutout in his past two games. He has 45 points on the season. Pavel Kubina (2A, -1, 2 PIM, 22:37 TOI, 2:46 PP, 4:09 PK, 1 SOG) has 30 overall and that includes five in his past seven with PIM in six of eight. Tobias Enstrom (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 20:56 TOI, 3:22 PP, 0:31 PK, 1 SOG) has points back-to-back after having one in eight.

Maxim Afinogenov (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 16:00 TOI, 3:23 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has points in three of six, but still hasn't recorded points in back-to-back games since Christmas. This was the second game with Atlanta for Niclas Bergfors (1G, +2, 11:00 TOI, no PP, no PK, 4 SOG) and his first point. He had gone 14 games without a scoring summary appearance. Evander Kane (1G, even, 4 PIM, 13:59 TOI, 0:26 PP, 1:05 PK, 3 SOG) had gone three games without a point and now has six in his past nine outings.

Chicago Blackhawks 2 @ St. Louis Blues 1
Goaltending match-up: Antti Niemi (34/35, .971 SV%) vs. Chris Mason (28/30, .933 SV%)
Net notes: Niemi had never faced the Blues before tonight. Mason was 11-8-2 vs. CHI with 2.37/ .917 splits and two shutouts coming in.

Patrick Sharp Jonathan Toews Patrick Kane
Tomas Kopecky Dave Bolland Marian Hossa
Troy Brouwer John Madden Dustin Byfuglien
Andrew Ladd Colin Fraser Kris Versteeg

Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Niklas Hjalmarsson Brian Campbell
Brent Sopel Cam Barker

Paul Kariya David Backes T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald Keith Tkachuk Brad Boyes
Alex Steen Patrik Berglund David Perron
Brad Winchester Jay McClement Cam Janssen

Barret Jackman Roman Polak
Eric Brewer Erik Johnson
Carlo Colaiacovo Mike Weaver

Key notes: Patrick Sharp (1G, 1A, +2, 17:45 TOI, 5:18 PP, 0:41 PK, 6 SOG, 0-3 FO for 0%) is up to 45 points overall with 16 in his past 18 GP. Jonathan Toews (1G, 1A, +2, 21:06 TOI, 5:44 PP, 3:16 PK, 3 SOG, 15-7 FO for 68%) recorded his 10th multi-pointer of the season.

Patrick Kane (1A, +1, 18:53 TOI, 6:14 PP, 0:03 PK, 2 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) is only 10 points shy of matching his career high of 72 points after this win, while Marian Hossa (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 17:42 TOI, 3:40 PP, 3:39 PK, 2 SOG) has collected 32 points in 34 GP with the Hawks this season and he continues to be one of the safest starts in fantasy.

Top PP times (CHI): Kane (6:14), Campbell (5:58), Toews (5:44), Sharp (5:18) and Keith (4:14)
Top PP times (STL): McDonald (7:37), Boyes (6:47), Tkachuk (6:24), Johnson (6:07) and Perron (5:31)

Alex Steen (1G, even, 2 PIM, 18:48 TOI, 4:57 PP, 3:23 PK, 4 SOG) broke the shutout bid late and has goals in three of five with points in four of them. T.J. Oshie (1A, -2, 19:08 TOI, 4:32 PP, 3:50 PK, no SOG, 1-4 FO for 20%) registered his 32nd point and has them in four straight with 13 in his past 18 GP. David Perron (1A, even, 19:16 TOI, 5:31 PP, 2:17 PK, 1 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has points in seven of 10.

San Jose Sharks 4 @ Nashville Predators 3
Goaltending match-up: Evgeni Nabokov (35/38, .921 SV%) vs. Pekka Rinne (25/29, .862 SV%)
Net notes: Nabby was 12-8-2-1 vs. NAS coming in with 2.11/ .912 splits and two shutouts. Rinne was 2-0-1 vs. SJ with 2.27/ .931 splits.

Patrick Marleau Joe Thornton Dany Heatley
Joe Pavelski Torrey Mitchell Devin Setoguchi
Ryane Clowe Scott Nichol Jed Ortmeyer
Jody Shelley Brad Staubitz Brian Boyle

Douglas Murray Rob Blake
Kent Huskins Jason Demers
Derek Joslin Jay Leach

Steve Sullivan Jason Arnott Patric Hornqvist
Martin Erat David Legwand Joel Ward
Jordin Tootoo Cal O'Reilly J.P. Dumont
Ryan Jones Jerred Smithson Wade Belak

Shea Weber Ryan Suter
Dan Hamhuis Kevin Klein
Alexander Sulzer Francis Bouillon

Key notes: Dany Heatley's (2G, 1A,  even, 2 PIM, 23:03 TOI, 4:00 PP, 0:47 PK, 7 SOG) three-pointer included his eighth GWG with the Sharks, which places him two shy of his career high of 10 with the Sens recorded in '06-7. Joe Thornton (2A, even, 23:01 TOI, 4:00 PP, 1:49 PK, 1 SOG, 12-13 FO for 48%) added his 71st and 72nd points of the season and he's quickly closing in on the 86 he rang up last year. Patrick Marleau (2A, even, 23:34 TOI, 4:00 PP, 2:31 PK, 2 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) is only seven points shy of 71, which is how many points he posted in '08-9. His career high is 86, put up right after the lockout.

Devin Setoguchi (1A, even, 15:06 TOI, 1:51 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has eight points in his past 10 starts. Rob Blake (1G, +1, 22:38 TOI, 2:27 PP, 3:18 PK, 3 SOG) had gone three without a point, but has seven in his past nine.

Top PP times (SJ): Thornton (4:00), Heatley (4:00), Marleau (4:00), Boyle (3:06) and Pavelski (2:52)
Top PP times (NAS): Weber (5:13), Dumont (3:00), Jones (3:00), Suter (3:00) and O'Reilly (3:00)

J.P. Dumont (2G, +1, 16:26 TOI, 3:00 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) matched his goal production from the past 15 GP tonight. He has 10 points in 15 GP since the start of January. Cal O'Reilly (3A, +2, 17:39 TOI, 3:00 PP, 0:55 PK, 1 SOG, 7-11 FO for 39%) had been blanked in his past six starts, while Martin Erat (1A, even, 19:40 TOI, 2:59 PP, 1:32 PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had five points in seven games before tongiht.

Ryan Suter (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 23:32 TOI, 3:00 PP, 1:30 PK, 2 SOG) added his 26th point of the season and has them in three of five. Joel Ward (1G, +1, 2 PIM, no PP, 2:13 PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has four points in four games after this effort, including goals in three of four.

Philadelphia Flyers 1 @ Minnesota Wild 2
Goaltending match-up: Michael Leighton (28/30, .933 SV%) vs. Anton Khudobin (38/39, .974 SV%)
Net notes: Leighton was 1-2-0 vs. MIN coming in with 4.25/ .822 splits. Khudobin was making his first NHL start here and he had one win in his only relief appearance before tonight.

Simon Gagne Mike Richards Scott Hartnell
Darroll Powe Jeff Carter Danny Briere
James van Riemsdyk Claude Giroux Arron Asham
Daniel Carcillo Blair Betts Daniel Carcillo

Chris Pronger Matt Carle
Lukas Krajicek Kimmo Timonen
Oskars Bartulis Braydon Coburn

Andrew Brunette Mikko Koivu Antti Miettinen
Guillaume Latendresse Kyle Brodziak Martin Havlat
Owen Nolan Eric Belanger Cal Clutterbuck
Robbie Earl Andrew Ebbett Derek Boogaard

Marek Zidlicky Greg Zanon
Kim Johnsson Nick Schultz
Brent Burns Shane Hnidy

Key notes: Daniel Carcillo (1G, even, 7:16 TOI, no PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has scored in four of his past nine games, although he has just 2 PIM in his past six starts. Simon Gagne (1A, -1, 17:57 TOI, 4:28 PP, 1:30 PK, 4 SOG) has four points in his past four outings after five games without one. Braydon Coburn (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 17:34 TOI, 0:40 PP, 2:44 PK, 3 SOG) had just one point dating back to the start of January before this one tonight.

Top PP times (PHI): Hartnell (4:39), Richards (4:30), Gagne (4:28), Timonen (4:18) and Pronger (4:04)
Top PP times (MIN): Havlat (5:48), Zidlicky (4:27), Brunette (4:15), Latendresse (4:11) and Belanger (3:58)

Owen Nolan (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 14:43 TOI, 3:26 PP, 1:38 PK, 2 SOG, 3-3 FO for 50%) has points in three of four now with 10 of his 27 points on the season in his past 16 GP. Eric Belanger (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 16:35 TOI, 3:58 PP, 2:05 PK, 4 SOG, 5-7 FO for 42%) has 13 points since the start of January, while Kim Johnsson (1A, +1, 23:06 TOI, 3:01 PP, 3:46 PK, 2 SOG) has helpers in three straight this month.

Edmonton Oilers 0 @ Colorado Avalanche 3
Goaltending match-up: Jeff Deslauriers (39/41, .951 SV%) vs. Craig Anderson (20/20)
Net notes: Deslauriers was 1-1-0 vs. COL coming in with 5.01/ .808 splits. Anderson was 4-3-1-0 vs. EDM with 2.61/ .915 splits and three shutouts. This was his sixth shutout of the season and 13th of his career.

Dustin Penner Sam Gagner Andrew Cogliano
Patrick O'Sullivan Ryan Potulny Mike Comrie
Ethan Moreau Shawn Horcoff Fernando Pisani
Jean-Francois Jacques Marc Pouliot Zack Stortini

Denis Grebeshkov Tom Gilbert
Lubomir Visnovsky Taylor Chorney
Jason Strudwick Alex Plante

Wojtek Wolski Matt Duchene Brandon Yip
T.J. Galiardi Paul Stastny Chris Stewart
Cody McLeod Ryan O'Reilly Marek Svatos
Chris Durno David Koci Darcy Tucker

Kyle Cumiskey Scott Hannan
Kyle Quincey Brett Clark
Ryan Wilson Adam Foote

Key notes: Sam Gagner (9:37 TOI), who has been producing really well offensively lately, left this game with an apparent injury.

Top PP times (EDM): Gilbert (4:00), Penner (3:16), Grebeshkov (3:15), Potulny (3:08) and three with 2:40
Top PP times (COL): Stastny (2:53), Yip (2:16), Quincey (2:07), Cumiskey (2:07) and Stewart (2:01)

Wojtek Wolski (1G, +3, 18:46 TOI, 1:52 PP, 1:20 PK, 8 SOG) had an active night and he had three helpers the last time he played the Oilers. He stopped a five-game pointless slide here. Matt Duchene (1A, +3, 17:54 TOI, 1:58 PP, 0:05 PK, 3 SOG, 6-9 FO for 40%) needed a two-pointer tonight to reach the 40-point plateau and he had 11 points in 11 GP coming into this evening. Brandon Yip (1G, +3, 17:53 TOI, 2:16 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) got the ENG and has eight points in nine outings.

Have you got a brief fantasy hockey question? Drop a line to chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com within 24 hours or so of any Q&A (to keep your league info relevant) and your email may be included in the blog, which will begin live at 3pm et/ 12pm pt on Mondays and Thursdays. One per person, please. Don't forget to include your first name and hometown to represent!